Engine starting/stopping switch device

Abstract

An engine starting/stopping switch device is provided that includes a switch unit that switches over switching modes in response to linear movement of a movable member, a push button that is linked to the movable member so as to drive the movable member in response to a pushing operation, and a coil antenna that outputs transponder drive radio waves for generating an electromotive force in a transponder built into a portable device, wherein the coil antenna ( 15 ) is disposed coaxially with the push button ( 14 ) so that at least part of the coil antenna ( 15 ) is inserted into the interior of the push button ( 14 ). This enables the operability of a push button to be improved and enables the size in the radial direction of the push button to be reduced.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An engine starting/stopping switch device comprising a switch unit that has a switch case and switches over switching modes in response to linear movement of a movable member which is housed in the switch case, a push button that is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with a front end thereof closed and is linked to the movable member so as to drive the movable member in response to a pushing operation, and a coil antenna that outputs transponder drive radio waves for generating an electromotive force in a transponder built into a portable device, placing the portable device in the vicinity of the push button enabling ID signal verification between the transponder and a vehicle to be carried out when the voltage of a battery built into the portable device is low, wherein the coil antenna is held in an antenna case which is connected to the switch case, said coil antenna being disposed coaxially with the push button so that at least part of the coil antenna is inserted into the interior of the push button. 
     
     
       2. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein a circuit board extending parallel to the direction of movement of the movable member is disposed to a side of the switch case of the switch unit, and a recess into which an electronic component mounted on the circuit board is inserted is provided in the switch case ( 16 ). 
     
     
       3. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein a circuit board connected to the coil antenna via a terminal is disposed so as to follow a plane that is perpendicular to an axis of the coil antenna. 
     
     
       4. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 2 , wherein a connector is directly fixed to the circuit board. 
     
     
       5. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 3 , wherein an extended portion extending parallel to the axis of the coil antenna is provided integrally with the terminal, and the extended portion is connected to the circuit board. 
     
     
       6. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 3 , wherein a connector is directly fixed to the circuit board. 
     
     
       7. The engine starting/stopping switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the switch case is provided inside the antenna case, 
 the coil antenna is formed of a coil being wound around a bobbin, 
 a terminal connected to the coil is mold bonded to the bobbin with part of the terminal projecting from the bobbin, and 
 the bobbin and the terminal bonded together are housed in the antenna case.